Latest news with #VEXRoboticsWorldChampionship
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Robotics team visits local Elementary school to show off their skills
PRINCETON, WV (WVNS) – Three teams from local schools in southern West Virginia visited the VEX Robotics World Championship to showcase their skills a few weeks ago. Straley Elementary, Montcalm High School and Mercer County all returned from the Championship with new knowledge about what to expect next year! There were teams from around 55 countries at the World Championship in Dallas Texas. Some teams did not speak English well, so they used translator apps to communicate. 3 Mercer County Robotics teams headed to world championship in Dallas 'It is really hard to figure out like what to do if you have to, like, pre-planned with the team. But I personally, we went to go talk to the team and practiced with them, so we did it all. But like it's hard to do it when you have practiced with them for the entire year.' The Mercer and Straley Teams visited Princeton Primary to show the younger students what they have to expect if they want to join next year. Communication is key when joining either team. I asked what Team Electro Storm's favorite part about the competition was. 'Probably meeting different people and playing with them because I saw. We saw a lot of different bots.' Next year, the teams say they are ready to bring home the Championship cup back to West Virginia. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Cision Canada
4 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
VEX Robotics and RECF Partner with Saudi Federation to Enhance STEM Education in Saudi Arabia
This strategic partnership represents an important step in equipping Saudi students with world-class educational tools and platforms, aligning with the Kingdom's technological innovation and youth empowerment vision. By fostering a culture of STEM excellence, this initiative will open new pathways for students to explore robotics, develop critical skills, and engage in global robotics competitions. "We are thrilled to partner with the Saudi Federation of Robotics and RC Sports to bring the transformative power of robotics to students across Saudi Arabia," said Tony Norman, CEO and founder of VEX Robotics. "This collaboration is about inspiring the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers by providing them with the tools they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving world." VEX Robotics offers a hands-on robotics education solution called the VEX Continuum, designed to engage students from elementary through university levels. The RECF organizes the world's largest global robotics competition, encouraging students to apply classroom learning, develop hands-on problem-solving skills, and collaborate with peers in dynamic environments. "We are honored to partner with VEX Robotics and RECF to enhance the robotics landscape in Saudi Arabia," said Abdullah Alsunaydi, CEO of the Saudi Federation of Robotics and RC Sports. "This partnership supports our mission to cultivate a knowledge-driven society, nurture innovation, and create new opportunities for our youth." The collaboration will focus on expanding access to robotics education by providing teacher training and resources and establishing local, regional, and national competitions. These initiatives inspire students to explore STEM and build confidence in science, technology, and engineering careers. Looking ahead, VEX Robotics, RECF, and the Saudi Federation aim to establish a sustainable ecosystem for robotics education in Saudi Arabia. Through this partnership, students will gain opportunities to compete on the global stage, representing Saudi Arabia in international competitions. About VEX Robotics: VEX Robotics is a leading global educational and competition robotics solution provider. With a mission to inspire through hands-on learning, VEX offers a complete ecosystem of robotics hardware and software designed for engagement from elementary through university levels. About Robotics Education & Competition Foundation: The RECF seeks to increase student interest in STEM by providing accessible robotics-based programs. It manages the world's largest robotics competition, the VEX Robotics World Championship, inspiring critical skills development through hands-on experiences. About the Saudi Federation of Robotics and RC Sports: The Federation promotes technological education within Saudi Arabia through programs encouraging youth participation in robotics that align with the nation's vision for an innovative society. VEX Robotics Media Contact Madeleine Martin FINN Partners [email protected] 224.436.5267 REC Foundation Media Contact Jenn Goonan Rocket Social Impact [email protected] 617.947.0971 SOURCE VEX Robotics
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Yahoo
3 Mercer County Robotics teams headed to world championship in Dallas
PRINCETON, WV (WVNS) – The popularity of robotics has taken Mercer County by storm over the past several years. Local organizations commence Operation 'Bag Drag' to assist growing needs in foster care It has grown so much that they now have around 50 different robotics teams within the county. Robotics coaches thank school administrators, as well as their county's excess levy for helping them take these robotics programs to new heights. This growing popularity has even resulted in 4 straight appearances at the world robotics championships by some Mercer County Schools. This year, three Mercer schools will have a team represented in Dallas, Texas for the VEX Robotics World Championship for Elementary and Middle School competitions. 'They get to kind of intermingle and have communication and discussions with people literally all over the world. And so being able to expose them to that kind of culture and those other kind of folks is just like it's invaluable. I think that it's just an opportunity that's just unlike any other,' said Coach Melanie Meachum, of Straley Elementary School. The teams going will be 'Da Jellyfish' – representing Mercer Elementary School, Straley Elementary School's 'Electro Storm', and Montcalm High School's 8th grade team – 'Fire Hydraulics'. Da Jellyfish's coach Matt Bailey explained these programs are all about the kids and their enjoyment of coding and knowledge of robotics. '[My favorite thing is] being able to just build something from scratch and use it to like, do stuff is really fun for me,' said Ethan Wilbur, a 5th grader from Mercer Elementary School. 'Ever since my sister done it and I heard about it, I just loved it,' added Landon Beeman, a 5th grader from Straley Elementary. This will be the second year attending for the team members of Fire Hydraulics. Fire Hydraulics coach William Jennings explained what makes their teams tick. 'Collaboration plays a major role in robotics in general between the kids. The entire competition is about teamwork. I mean, teamwork champions is what you end up being at the end. So collaboration is incredibly important, but it is important between coaches as well. Coaches are improving every year here in Mercer County, and that is just great because it provides a better program for the kids,' said Jennings. Local insurance agent partners with nonprofit to host food and supply drive for cats The emphasis for this year's world competition has been to improve speed for many of the students like Beeman and Wilbur. This competition will take place from May 12 through May 14, 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Arab Times
03-05-2025
- Science
- Arab Times
31 Kuwaiti students head to US for Robotics World Championship
KUWAIT CITY, May 3: The Ministry of Education announced on Saturday that 31 students from public and private schools have departed for the United States to participate in the VEX Robotics World Championship. The high school students have already left, while middle and elementary school students are scheduled to depart later. This initiative is the result of a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Education's General Technical Guidance of Computers, the Computer Science Department at Kuwait University, and the Public Authority for Youth. The aim is to support and empower talented students in the fields of technology, engineering, and programming. The ministry emphasized that this participation reflects its commitment to developing students' skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). It also provides students with international opportunities to showcase their capabilities and creativity on a global stage, aligning with Kuwait's vision for digital transformation and innovation. The Kuwaiti delegation is led by Mona Awad, General Technical Supervisor of Computer Science, accompanied by technical supervisors Anwar Al-Kandari and Abdullah Al-Mutawa, and trainers Ali Karam and Shaima Al-Saifi. The VEX Robotics World Championship is a prestigious event that brings together thousands of students from around the world to compete in technical and engineering challenges, enhancing critical thinking, teamwork, and innovation. The championship will take place from May 6 to 14, 2025, at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
SPS robotics program highlights need for more space
Stillwater High sophomore Barbara Laxton isn't afraid to speak up about the Stillwater Public Schools robotics program – whether that's to members of the Board of Education or to friends or anyone else who will listen. But she has a bigger goal in mind – someday she wants to win a free ticket to the VEX Robotics World Championship held in May in Dallas. Robotics competitors can either win an award at the state championship or complete an online challenge to win a free ticket. Online challenges include activities such as building an instruction guide, a community challenge, a drone career readiness challenge, a game design challenge, marketing, STEM research and more. Students are graded on a rubric system, and if they become a finalist, they have an interview with VEX robotics program coordinators. Laxton chose the STEM advocacy challenge, and has spoken twice at an SPS Board of Education meeting to bring awareness of the program to the district. Along with two teammates, Hunter Scott and Addy Welch-Britton, Laxton advocated again for space for the Stillwater High School robotics program at the March 11 board meeting. '(In the challenge), we talked about how we have a ton of kids and no space,' Laxton said. 'And that our room does not really fit the amount of people we have.' The program is housed at Stillwater Junior High, with both SJHS and SHS teams meeting after school in SPS STEM and Computer Science Educator Rebecca Palmatary's classroom. Although Laxton and her fellow students didn't place as finalists in the challenge, she's not ready to give up advocating. Getting her team in the door at Worlds costs $1,800. 'And that's not any of the other fees like hotels,' Laxton said. Her team qualified for Worlds at the state championship, and now her goal is to raise $4,000 so the five-member team can travel all-expenses paid. A growing need There were 11 robotics teams from Stillwater High, Stillwater Junior High and Stillwater Middle School that traveled to the Oklahoma 2024-25 VEX Robotics-High Stakes MS State Championship in Muskogee on March 13-14. Stillwater students racked up multiple awards, with 8 out of 11 teams qualifying for Worlds. At SHS, every team won an award, and 4 out of 5 teams qualified for Worlds. At SJHS, 4 out of 6 teams qualified for Worlds. The competition is sponsored by the Robotics Education and Competition Foundation, a global nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging students to get involved in science, technology, engineering, math and computer science through 'hands-on, curriculum-based robotics programs,' according to the VEX Robotics website. The competition sees more than 14,000 teams from 53 countries that play in more than 1,300 tournaments. Palmatary previously told the News Press that last year the Stillwater district had two high school teams, and this year, there are five. The SJHS team grew from five to six. As students began moving up to junior high and high school, there was no program in which they could compete. Palmatary took on the challenge. SMS has had a solid robotics program for years, but for the upper-level classes, the program is in its infancy. The junior high school program started in the 2022-23 academic year and the high school program started in the 2023-24 academic year. Space for the robotics program has become a major issue for the teams, Palmatary said. Two robotic fields stay set up all day, but with only one room to practice in – which is also her classroom space – students have to get creative by practicing in garages or living rooms. 'We have parents who have opened their homes to lots of teams so that we can get in those extra hours,' Palmatary said. Although not a perfect scenario, it's worked, for now. 'In the ideal world, we would have a robotic center, and we would host all of our middle school, our junior high and our high school together,' she said. 'That way, they could collaborate, use that vertical alignment.' Palmatary said she would love it if space could be made available at the new high school where students could program their robots or practice with adult supervision. 'Hopefully, whenever the new (high school opens), maybe there's going to end up being an open space somewhere that we can repurpose,' Palmatary said. 'But those are kind of my hopes and dreams.' Repurposed spaces has been a topic at previous school board meetings. 505 Architects Coordinator Brian Thomas, whose team is building the new high school, said some larger rooms might work for robotics spaces. It's a topic that's concerned Barbara's mother, Stacy Laxton, who has spoken multiple times at school board meetings, urging board members to consider room for robotics in the new high school. Laxton said her engineering degree has helped her in her current job as part of a supply chain. 'I still use all of my engineering skills in supply chain – it's still STEM skills,' Laxton said. 'So, whether you get an engineering degree and become an engineer or you get a skill set – I still consider myself a lot more successful than somebody who doesn't have this skill set. 'We're not asking for (attention) to be taken away from athletics or arts or any other thing, we're asking just to give robotics a fair chance. Because I'm sure we'll find some company to help us donate stuff. Give us an open space, we'll figure out how to get it done.' Palmatary said there will always be a need for engineers. 'There's always going to be a need for those problem-solving skills,' Palmatary said. 'That is a growing industry, and the more we can support that, the better off we are.' Palmatary teaches at Oklahoma State University summer STEM camps, offering classes in coding and advanced coding. Last summer, she taught a basic directional coding camp for first- and second-graders. The explosion of SPS robotics programs mirrors what's happening in the 21st century, she said. 'Think about it – when (I was) a kid, there wasn't a computer in my back pocket, but we're carrying one around today,' she said. ' … Technology is growing, so AI is growing, the robotics, the problem-solving – it's all just exploding and we can't keep up.' Stillwater High School awards – Excellence Award, 74074R Revenant – Tournament champs, 74074Y Bamboozled – Tournament Finalist, 74074X Nexus – Design Award, 74074Z Zenith – Build Award, 75075D Oasis Stillwater Junior High School awards – Tournament finalist, 74074V Oblivion – Tournament finalist, 74074A Paradox – Design Award, 74074A Paradox – Amaze Award, 74074 B Brainstorm – Inspire Award, 74074S Seismic – 'Wildcarded' for Worlds, 74074E Eclipse
